I received a question this week from “No Thanks” at “[email protected]” wanting to know my thoughts on what to get a man for Valentine’s Day. Since I am an expert on this subject (I am a man, after all), I figure I can rise to the request of Ms. Thanks. So with plenty of shopping days left; here are five ideas for this year’s Valentine’s Day (in no particular order):
[Read more…]Choosing a Couples Mentor
Without a doubt, one of the best decisions that Barry and I ever made after we got married was to find a set of mentors. My only regret is that we waited so long to do it. Having a set of mentors is a smart decision for any couple…..they give you advice, hold you accountable, and they pray with you when you need it. Plus, they’re really awesome to have around for fellowship.
Our mentors are Roger and Lori Holbrook. They just so happen to be Barry’s kin, so that’s a nice plus. When we asked them to be our mentors, I was really nervous that they were going to say no…..but we were blessed when they said yes. We hold Roger and Lori in very high esteem – they are a blessing to us. When Barry and I aren’t sure about something in scripture, we ask them. When I don’t know why Annie is behaving like a wild native, I ask Lori. When I’m worried about something, I ask them to pray. When I need someone to give me a hard time, I go over to Roger’s house.
There are a few key things you must keep in mind when choosing a mentor. I’ll outline those below. Please, please think about getting one. You won’t regret it. Pray and ask the Lord to show you who might be a good choice for you and your spouse. [Read more…]
Hospitality on a Budget
I recently read a book about hospitality called Face to Face: Meditations on Friendship and Hospitality. It was an excellent read and one I would recommend to anyone. It really kicked me in the tail. While I have a heart for hospitality in general, sometimes I find myself lacking in that area – even though it is referred to several times in the New Testament. Why do I struggle? Well, let’s be honest – whole foods aren’t cheap. I buy the good stuff now….so sometimes I want to hoard it for myself and my family. Sometimes it’s hard to use my coconut oil on someone who might not care. But here’s the thing…..it doesn’t matter if they care. What matters is that I’m showing love to them and filling their tummy. “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35 Hospitality is showing love to your Christian brothers and sisters by filling their tummy and making them a part of your home.
Most people struggle with the same thing I do – the money part. If you’re strapped for cash when feeding your own family, how can you feed other people? The answer is simple – hospitality doesn’t have to break the bank. The thought that hospitality is expensive is a LIE. Hospitality is sharing what you have with someone else – giving of yourself and your abundance. As Barry has said before, if you hold your money in a closed fist, it surely won’t leave……but nothing can get in either. Sharing what you have will fill you up with joy and fulfillment. And here’s how to do it without spending a fortune. [Read more…]
How Humorous Homemaking, Makes Cents
When Barry and I started Humorous Homemaking, we did not do so with the intent to make money. Actually, we didn’t start making money on the blog until after it was one year old. This blog was first created to be a helpful source for people who attended my workshops…..and it grew into a thing of its own. And I quickly learned that I LOVED BLOGGING. We thought that since I loved it so much and I was spending so much time on it that I might as well try to bring in a bit of income with it…so that we wouldn’t go in the hole. So, I thought I would take the time to let you guys know how I make money on this blog – so that maybe you can help me out if you so desire…or at least so you won’t think I’m trying to slip one by you. 😀 [Read more…]
For Sale By Owner
Remember in October when Barry and I shared with you that we were 100% debt free? I told you that we’d keep you posted on our plans and how things were going. Since then we’ve been saving, still with the same fervency that we used to get out of debt. And now, we’re going to sell our townhouse. On Saturday, we put it on the market and we are so excited! We’re ready to move up to something a bit bigger for our family, with a nice basement, and a yard for Annie to play in.
We decided that at first, we would attempt to sell our house on our own. I know that even Dave Ramsey doesn’t recommend that, but here’s something you might not know about Barry and I…..we’re cheap and hard headed. When we figured out how much money we’d have to spend when using a realtor (fees, etc), that was a big shocker. So, to try to avoid that and keep our hands on more cash, I’m planning to sell my house super quick to a home buyer.
[Read more…]10 Frugal and Practical Ideas for Christmas Stocking Fillers for Children and Adults
I’m a fun gift giver…..when someone gets a gift from me, they know it probably won’t require batteries or dusting. Stockings are my favorite part of Annie’s Christmas gift. I KNOW I have more fun stuffing it than she does opening it. Who doesn’t get excited to find a light up toothbrush at Target for $1.07? I wish someone would put a light up toothbrush in MY stocking. The best part is, when the batteries run out in the toothbrush you can just give it to the dog for a chew toy. At least that’s what Christy from The Simple Homemaker does. More bang for your buck! [Read more…]
How to Love December 26th
Happy Sunday everyone! I have enjoyed this past week thoroughly and I hope you have as well. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of all because it is about food, family, and remembering the reasons you have for being thankful. Period. No gifts, no funky costumes (unless you count your fat pants as a costume). I usually take off the week of Thanksgiving to try to do some deer hunting and this year was no exception. I’m a bit odd when it comes to my hunting style, though. While I am always on the lookout for a nice deer for the freezer, I’m equally interested in the quiet as an opportunity to think and reflect on things that the busyness of life have just kept me from considering. It is a time I cherish each year. [Read more…]
Our Thankful Box
It seems to me as the years pass by, that Thanksgiving is becoming the “forgotten holiday.” Stores put out fall decorations early, but before Halloween is over, they put Christmas stuff out and put “fall” items on clearance – as though the holiday is totally over. This saddens me. That’s one reason I came up with this Thanksgiving tradition of the Thankful Box.
People put their Christmas decorations out as soon as Halloween is over…but, I boycott. I won’t put out Christmas things until after Thanksgiving is over. It’s my way of “sticking it to the Man.” I never want Thanksgiving to be forgotten in the Myers house. By creating Thanksgiving traditions, I am making sure that the holiday has a proper place of importance. Because y’all – it’s important in this life to be thankful. [Read more…]
WE’RE DEBT FREE!!!!!
Rejoice with me friends! WE’RE DEBT FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Recently we paid off the remainder of our townhouse and now we’re 100% debt free! I had always told Barry that when we were done with the house debt that I wanted to take a trip to Nashville and do our scream live on The Dave Ramsey Show. So, for my 30th birthday, Barry took me, Annie, and my mom to Nashville to celebrate. Financial Peace Plaza is a must visit. You can watch the Dave Ramsey show live from the lobby and Dave comes out occasionally so you can meet/speak with him. There is a great bookstore there and a lovely little snack area where you can get homemade goodies and free coffee (or in Annie’s case, milk). You do your debt free scream from the bookstore on a little phone they have for that purpose. Plus, you get to meet all sorts of like-minded people who have traveled far and wide to scream that they are also debt free! Every time someone does their yell on the air, the whole lobby stops what they’re doing and everyone begins to clap and yell. It’s AWESOME! |
Once you’re done on the air, you get to sign your name on the Debt Free Wall. I was afraid I’d misspell something or write something totally lame and it would be there for all of eternity….I am NOT the Queen of Spelling. Of course, I was the obvious choice since Barry’s writing looks like chicken scratch. Annie was quite perplexed as to why Mommy got to write on the wall, but she is not permitted to do so at home. She was more concerned that her Nina was eating her brownie in the other room while she was busy with her Mommy writing on some wall. |
Here is our inscription…..no spelling errors. Whew. In 8 months, we were able to pay off $20,000 by cutting our budget to the bare bones and doing lots of extra side jobs. One thing I’ve learned about paying off debt is that you HAVE to be focused. If you’re not focused and determined, it makes your job longer and harder. |
We were very excited and honored to meet Dave Ramsey. I got so excited that I just so happened to tell him that he “rocked my face off.” I know he had absolutely no idea what I was talking about. Uh, oops? Leave it to me to say something totally dumb. If I meet you for the first time and say something dumb, just overlook it. |
It was a really great trip and one we’ll remember forever. We’ve changed our family tree and we’ve also changed how Annie will always perceive money. “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6We were able to get our call taped because I wanted to share it with you. Let it be an encouragement to you. If you’re on the road to being debt free, you WILL make it! And things are so much better on the other side. 😀 Please know that Barry and I are always here to help you however we can. “Debt is normal. Be weird.” –Dave Ramsey |
The Blackhead Experiment
Okay, so you know how you hear something on television and you think “I don’t know if I believe that.” And then you try it yourself at home to see if it really does work? That’s not just me…….right? I will try just about anything – except raw fish. I’m not even going to go there. I was watching The Doctors with my mom one day and heard this tip about getting rid of blackheads by using Elmer’s School Glue. Well. Huh. Who knew? [Read more…] |